In Year 7 English, students focus on developing their reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. Students study and analyse short stories, a novel and a film. In their study of set persuasive texts, students analyse persuasive language and will construct texts that present a point of view. Students continue to develop their speaking and listening through class discussions and formal presentations.
Kindle Curiosity.
At St Aloysius College, the study of English aims to contribute to the development of confident and curious learners who have an appreciation for literature and an ability to think critically and creatively. Throughout their studies, students are exposed to a range of texts including fiction, poetry, film and multimodal texts. They develop their inferential reading and viewing skills through the exploration of increasingly challenging and diverse literature. In our English courses, there is an emphasis on analysing authorial purpose, forming personal interpretations and examining how texts are contructed. Students also strengthen their speaking and listening skills by writing and creating oral presentations and through thoughtful discussion and debate with their peers.
The College celebrates and cultivates a culture of reading amongst our students through the Years 7-9 Wide Reading Program and in our studies in English. We expose our students to texts that explore diverse human experiences to broaden their worldview and facilitate rich discussions in the classroom. Students are taught to engage in considered dialogue about how writers explore ideas, views and values. Students at St Aloysius through their own reading of texts and find and develop their voice in writing.
Our teaching teams utilise student-centered strategies to foster independence and student agency in the English classroom at all levels. The aim of our English courses is to create confident communicators, critical thinkers and informed global citizens so that they are equipped for the demands of life beyond the classroom.
At St Aloysius, students are offered a range of opportunities for extension through participation in language-related activities within the College and wider community. These opportunities include the Book Clubs, Debaters' Association of Victoria Schools' Competition, Frayne Speech Festival, ACS Public Speaking Competition and various other external writing competitions.
The English Curriculum
Year 7
Year 8
Year 9
Year 10
Year 11 and 12
Year 7
Year 8
In Year 8 English, students continue to develop their inferential reading and viewing skills. Students learn to develop their own interpretations and voice by producing creative, analytical and persuasive texts. They develop their speaking and listening skills by writing and creating oral presentations and through discussion and debate with their classmates.
Year 9
In Year 9 English, students strengthen their skills in reading and viewing through the study of a short story anthology, a Shakespearean text and a film. Students reflect on the views and values presented in texts and examine how texts are constructed. They are encouraged to experiment with their writing by producing a range of text types. Students develop their speaking and listening skills by writing and creating oral presentations, and through discussion and debate with their classmates.
Year 10
In Year 10 English, students will focus on how English language is used to create meaning in written, spoken and multi-modal texts of varying complexity. Literary texts selected for study are drawn from the past and present, from Australia and from other cultures. Student also analyse the construction of persuasive text and use this understanding to develop and present their own arguments.
Year 11 and 12
VCE English focuses on how English language is used to create meaning in written, spoken and multimodal texts of varying complexity. Literary texts selected for study are drawn from the past and present, from Australia and from other cultures. During their studies, students identify, discuss and analyse decisions authors have made. VCE students also analyse how argument and persuasive language can be used to position audiences, and create their own texts intended to position audiences. The English course is intended to meet the needs of students with a wide range of expectations and aspirations, including those for whom English is an additional language.
Areas of Study
Reading and creating texts
Analysing and presenting argument
Reading and comparing
The Literature Curriculum
Year 10
Year 11 & 12
Year 10
Students in Year 10 Literature undertake close study of literary texts. Students focus on how language, structure and stylistic choices are used in texts. They explore the way texts reflect the views and values of individuals and particular groups in society.
Year 11 & 12
VCE Literature focuses on the meaning derived from texts, the relationship between texts, the contexts in which texts are produced and read, and the experiences the reader brings to the texts. In VCE Literature students undertake close reading of texts and analyse how language and literary elements and techniques function within a text. The study provides opportunities for reading deeply, widely and critically, responding analytically and creatively, and appreciating the aesthetic merit of texts.
Unit 1 and 2
- Approaches to literature
- Context and connections
Unit 3 and 4
- Form and transformation
- Interpreting texts